10/24/2024

Contributed by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R - ARRL Director of Marketing and
Innovation

The Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club held its successful convention,
Pacificon[1] 2024, in San Ramon, California, October 18 - 20. The convention
drew radio amateurs from throughout the populous Bay Area of California and
beyond, and annually hosts the ARRL Pacific Division Convention.

The organizing committee works all year on pulling together an impressive
program. This year included an exceptional lineup of forums, seminars, hands-on
activities, and exhibits. But the standout this year was the tremendous effort
to include and engage young hams and prospective hams.

Pacificon coincided with the largest scouting event in the world,
Jamboree-on-the-Air-Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTA-JOTI). As radio amateurs and
radio clubs around the world got scouts on the air to promote friendship and
global citizenship, Pacificon partnered with the Boy Scouts of America Golden
Gate Area Council to get dozens of scouts to attend the convention. The scouts
were led by their troop leaders in small groups to meet with ARRL Education and
Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, and his wife Cyndi Goodgame, K5CYN, for
a short introduction to radio and wireless technology, ham radio, and ARRL. The
scouts also got on the air using the most recognized call sign in the world,
W1AW. Special Event Station W1AW/6 was sponsored by the Palo Alto Amateur Radio
Association (PAARA).

Many young hams also attended, including those accompanying parents and
grandparents. Among them was ARRL East Bay Section Youth Coordinator Alexia
Snethen, KM6LGG, a 17-year-old from Alameda County, and San Joaquin Valley
Youth Coordinator Shane Lewis, K5SML. Both Youth Coordinators are General class
licensees and are involved in a variety of activities throughout their sections
to attract and engage more young hams. For instance, Snethen runs a youth net
on a local repeater, and helps students in her section connect with each other,
even online, to discuss ham radio.

Another activity, attracting participation from all ages, included the
Parachute Mobile team. Pacificon attendees enjoyed making short contacts with
the jumpers who included Mark Meltzer, AF6IM; Rob Fenn, KC6TYD, and Dmitrii
Kalugin-Balashov, KN6MMW. Their moto is "In the air. On the air."

ARRL member Brian Zoraster, KA6ZED, of Livermore, California, helped organize a
fox hunt (or transmitter hunt, or t-hunt) for Pacificon. Setup under a tent
outside, participants were quickly briefed by Zoraster on techniques to use
handheld radios, S-meters, and directional antennas to find the transmitters he
hid on the San Ramon Marriott hotel property. A short video is available on the
ARRL Facebook[2] page.

ARRL National Instructor Gordon West, WB6NOA, was on-hand to greet attendees
and to congratulate new licensees and those who have recently earned upgrades.
West led an Instructors Academy during the convention, sharing ideas for
instructional demonstrations and highlighting ARRL resources for teaching
amateur radio classes.

Pacificon also organized two vendor halls filled with manufacturers and
resellers, and welcomed many radio clubs and organizations to connect with
attendees. For ARRL's part, representatives included First Vice President
Kristen McIntyre, K6WX; Second Vice President Mike Ritz, W7VO; International
Affairs Vice President Rod Stafford, W6ROD; Pacific Division Director Anthony
Marcin, W7XM, and Vice Director John Litz, NZ6Q. The all-volunteer ARRL Field
Organization also made a strong showing, supported by ARRL Section Managers
representing East Bay, Mike Patterson, N6JGA; Nevada, John Bigley, N7UR;
Pacific, Alan Maenchen, AD6E; Sacramento Valley, Dr. Carol Milazzo, KP4MD; San
Joaquin Valley Steven Hendricks, KK6JTB; and Santa Clara Valley, James
Armstrong, NV6W. ARRL staff included Education and Learning Manager Steve
Goodgame, K5ATA; Director of Marketing and Innovation Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R;
Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, and CEO David Minster, NA2AA.

Aÿphoto album[3]ÿon the ARRL Facebook page captures more of the convention
highlights.ÿ

Pacificon[4] returns next year, Friday, October 10, to Sunday, October 12,
2025.


[1] https://www.pacificon.org/

[2] https://www.facebook.com/share/v/mhncZdt91tdwhCcS/

[3] https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.955393939956254

[4] https://www.pacificon.org/


---
þ Synchronet þ Whiskey Lover's Amateur Radio BBS